Softball team places third in state tournament

Sue Rieder sports@beeherald.com

Greene County's softball team rebounded from a disappointing 4-1 loss to Clarke and defeated second ranked East Marshall 10-3 to place third in Class 3A at the state softball tournament in Fort Dodge. After struggling to get base runners twelve hours earlier, the Rams put the loss behind them and pounded 12 hits against East Marshall's pitcher, Mariah Fritz, who entered the tournament with a 1.11 ERA and a 26-1 pitching record.

Greene County sent 10 batters to the plate and scored five runs in the second inning on a Hannah Onken double and singles from Marissa Promes, Carleigh Paup, and Kayla Mobley. Emily Christensen got on base via a Mustang error, and Bailey Godwin and Tressa Rasmussen both drew walks during the inning also. The Rams added another run in the fourth when Christensen belted a solo home run, her third of the season.

East Marshall showed some life in the fifth inning when they got back to back infield singles and then got a 3-run home run from their clean up hitter Taylor Fricke. Fortunately Greene County answered with four runs in the sixth on singles from Christensen, Promes, and Onken and a home run from Rasmussen, her first of the season. Neither team scored in the last inning, and the celebrating began. The underdog Rams defeated five out of six ranked opponents since starting post season play on July 11. Their only loss was to Clarke who beat Bondurant-Farrar 6-5 to become the 3A state champion.

Marissa Promes was the winning pitcher, improving her pitching record to 25-5 for the season. Promes gave up three earned runs on eight hits, while fanning seven East Marshall batters and walking one. Marissa was named to the 3A all-tournament team at the conclusion of the championship game.

The 2014 season is now in the books, but what a historic year it was. Greene County finished with a 29-8 record. "The kids are really excited," said coach Tom Kennedy. "Not many teams get to end their season with a win. The community has been very supportive. The players will remember this experience for the rest of their lives."